8 Messages
If system is already armed in Away, Scheduled Arming should not be able to arm Home
I appreciate the addition of scheduling arming. However, after testing, the present algorithm has a big enough flaw that for me, it's not worth using yet.
Specifically, if my system is armed in away mode and a scheduled Arm to home mode time occurs, the system will re-arm in home mode, inactivating the motion detectors.
Practical implication: Say my system is set to arm itself in home mode nightly - but tonight I'm staying out late or I'm going on a trip, so my home is unoccupied, and Simplisafe is sitting there armed in away mode. The scheduled arming event will degrade my protection and turn off the motion detection.
RECOMMENDATION: Update programming for scheduled arming so that IF (a system is armed in away mode) AND (a scheduled Arm to home mode) event occurs), THEN (the system remains Armed in Away Mode). This could be either the default or made an option. Thanks
New to the Community? Get started by reading our Welcome Article and please be sure to review our Community Guidelines before posting.
Related Conversations
0
0
bcole081
1 Message
In case this can help anyone I figured I’d post this. First, I completely agree this is a very annoying thing where automating arming in home mode can override away mode. So after researching for a while I finally found a solution using the Google Home app where you can script your own custom conditional routines (you don’t even have to have a Google Home device, but you do have to add your SimpliSafe device to your Google Home app under Devices). In order to enable this scripting in the Google Home app you have to select Settings -> Public Preview -> then request to join the Public Preview (which can take a day or more to take effect in the app - but it may be available by default at https://home.google.com/automations). Anyway, when you select Automations -> +Add you can just copy/paste the below in and modify it as needed/desired (e.g. “Entryway” may be different for you depending on where you said your SimpliSafe device is when adding it to the Google Home app), then validate and activate it and you should be good to go. Basically the below will set my SimpliSafe system to armed in home mode at 11:00 PM, but ONLY if the system is currently disarmed (so it won’t override away mode).
metadata:
name: Bed Time Security
description: Set SimpliSafe alarm to home mode only if currently off
automations:
starters:
type: time.schedule
at: 11:00 pm
condition:
type: device.state.ArmDisarm
device: SimpliSafe - Entryway
state: isArmed
is: false
actions:
type: device.command.ArmDisarm
devices: SimpliSafe - Entryway
arm: true
armLevel: HOME
2
shawnkayn
13 Messages
This continues to be the most annoying aspect of the Simplisafe system. The other night we came home late, past the time the system sets itself to Home every night. Hit the garage door opener (which is set to trigger immediately in Home mode), and woke up the entire neighborhood with an alarm. In Away mode the garage door doesn’t trigger the alarm immediately (although that mode is strictly more secure in other aspects, like motion detectors, windows, etc.).
Can we please at least give the user the option to override only when “off”? That would make all of your users happy, not just those who have a special scenario that might warrant a wholesale override.
0
ohbrotherson
5 Messages
It is sooo infuriating that they refuse to take this feature request on. Kudos to @bcole081 for finding this hack. Maybe we just need to call their Customer support line weekly so they can't ignore us anymore. Clearly, a majority of us are annoyed right now.
0
kfreestone33
9 Messages
They don't care about their customers requests. Believe me. Been with them a few years now. Only reason I am still with them is because I invested a lot in the hardware and can't really afford to move to someone else.
I've seen "requests" get passed on to DEVs that have seen no action in over 3 years. They either don't have the resources they claim or they just don't care what we want.
0
zeroifex
4 Messages
I really don't understand what scenario exists where you would want the "Home" setting to over-ride the "Away" setting......... I just think this is either pure laziness or Simplisafe doesn't give a rat's arse about their customers at this point.
1
balazscseh89
1 Message
So for more than a year now Simplisafe are just refusing to fix a vulnerability that they introduced into the system via the schedule feature…. Nice.
there is essentially no system security or otherwise where an automation schedule gets priority over a manual action. In this case it is super serious as it can downgrade the alarm level.
this seriously needs to be fixed right now.
1
jag
2 Messages
So being one of the newest owners of a system, still in testing mode, this automation process will NOT be used until this issue is corrected. Setup the automation as part of the initial settings along will moving all entry sensors to instant trigger except for the door where the keypad was mounted. As described previously, the first night we were late returning from a dinner engagement to find the system set in HOME mode instead of AWAY. Automation schedule has now been deleted until a workable remedy is made.
1
dlpsr
1.7K Messages
SimpliSafe Scheduling Problems - My Workaround, Users Experiences, and Critique
Summary of SimpliSafe's Scheduled Arming Issue:
Problem: SimpliSafe's scheduled arming feature can override a user's manual setting from "Away" to "Home" mode, potentially deactivating sensors like motion detectors.
This occurs even when users set their systems to "Away" for maximum security when they're out.
Security Implications: Switching to "Home" mode when users are away can leave parts of the home unprotected, as motion sensors are disabled. This could be exploited by intruders aware of the schedule.
User Experience: This leads to frustration and distrust, as the system's unpredictability undermines the reliability users expect from their security setup.
Administrative Response: There's a contradiction between claims that user settings won't ever be overridden and the reality where schedules in SimpliSafe's firmware changes the modes as outlined.
The suggestion to use Vacation Mode is impractical for typical users or regular use.
Unknowns and Lack of Proof: There's no evidence to support the claim that other security companies handle scheduling similarly. User feedback does not corroborate the idea that this behavior is preferred by any significant portion of users.
Implications for SimpliSafe: This issue risks damaging trust, reputation, and market position. Legal and ethical concerns could arise if breaches occur due to these flaws.
My Approach:
To avoid these issues & others, I've never relied on SimpliSafe's scheduling. I use phone automations for:
Control: Ensuring my security systems remains in the mode I set. Off, Home or Away as I desire.
Reliability: Bypassing firmware issues.
No Frustrations, other than my own: Avoiding the need to deal with scheduling conflicts or forum discussions.
Critique and Call to Action:
SimpliSafe should focus on allowing users more control over how scheduling interacts with manual settings or provide clearer options to manage these interactions.
Better documentation and user-friendly settings for automation are crucial for enhancing user trust and satisfaction.
Conclusion:
The problem with SimpliSafe's scheduled arming is not just a convenience issue but a significant security concern.
There's no evidence that this is a common practice among competitors, and the user feedback is clear: better control and transparency are needed.
For a more reliable solutions, consider phone automation, (requires some technical savvy) systems that you control, as I have, to maintain security control without relying on potentially flawed firmware scheduling.
0